Matthew 10:8

KJV

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

KJV (with Strong's)

Heal {G2323} the sick {G770}, cleanse {G2511} the lepers {G3015}, raise {G1453} the dead {G3498}, cast out {G1544} devils {G1140}: freely {G1432} ye have received {G2983}, freely {G1432} give {G1325}.

Complete Jewish Bible

heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those afflicted with tzara'at, expel demons. You have received without paying, so give without asking payment.

Berean Standard Bible

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

American Standard Version

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 10:8 encapsulates Jesus' commissioning of His twelve apostles, empowering them with divine authority to perform miraculous signs—healing the sick, cleansing lepers, raising the dead, and casting out demons—as tangible demonstrations of the Kingdom of God's arrival. This extraordinary power, freely bestowed upon them, was to be exercised with the same boundless generosity, underscoring that God's gifts are given by grace and are to be shared without expectation of personal gain or payment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of Jesus' detailed instructions to His twelve disciples before sending them out on their first independent mission. It immediately follows the account of Jesus' compassion for the harassed and helpless crowds, likening them to a harvest ripe for laborers ([Matthew 9:35-38](/matthew/9-35-38 "Matthew 9:35-38 - Jesus' Compassion and the Harvest")). Having identified the need, Jesus then calls and empowers His chosen apostles ([Matthew 10:1-4](/matthew/10-1-4 "Matthew 10:1-4 - The Calling of the Twelve Apostles")), giving them specific authority over unclean spirits and diseases. The preceding verses ([Matthew 10:5-7](/matthew/10-5-7 "Matthew 10:5-7 - Initial Instructions to the Twelve")) outline their initial geographical scope (to the lost sheep of Israel) and their core message ("The kingdom of heaven is at hand"). Thus, [Matthew 10:8](/matthew/10-8 "Matthew 10:8 - Commissioning and Instructions") serves as the practical manifestation of the authority granted in [Matthew 10:1](/matthew/10-1 "Matthew 10:1 - Authority Given to the Twelve") and the demonstration accompanying their proclamation of the Kingdom. The subsequent verses ([Matthew 10:9-15](/matthew/10-9-15 "Matthew 10:9-15 - Further Instructions on Mission")) provide further guidance on their conduct, provision, and response to rejection, reinforcing the self-sacrificial nature of their mission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judea, illness, especially leprosy, and demon possession were often seen not merely as physical ailments but as signs of divine judgment or spiritual defilement. Leprosy, in particular, rendered individuals ritually unclean and socially ostracized, forcing them to live apart from the community ([Leviticus 13-14](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Skin Diseases")). The ability to heal such conditions, and especially to raise the dead, was considered a divine prerogative, a sign of God's direct intervention and power, often associated with prophetic figures like Elijah and Elisha in the Old Testament. Casting out demons was also a powerful demonstration of authority over malevolent spiritual forces, a common belief in that era. The concept of "freely ye have received, freely give" challenged the prevailing practices of some religious leaders who might have sought personal gain from their spiritual services or teachings. It aligned with the Jewish principle of *tzedakah* (righteous giving) but extended it to the realm of miraculous power, emphasizing that divine gifts are not commodities to be bought or sold.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 10:8](/matthew/10-8 "Matthew 10:8 - Commissioning and Instructions") powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Matthew and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **authority of Jesus** to delegate His own power to His disciples, signifying the extension of His ministry through His followers. Secondly, the miracles performed—healing, cleansing, raising, and casting out—are **signs of the Kingdom of God**, demonstrating its active breaking into the world and God's sovereign rule over sickness, death, and evil ([Matthew 12:28](/matthew/12-28 "Matthew 12:28 - The Finger of God")). Thirdly, the command "freely ye have received, freely give" establishes a foundational principle of **grace and stewardship** in ministry. It underscores that divine gifts are unmerited and are to be administered with selfless generosity, reflecting the character of God Himself ([2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - God Loves a Cheerful Giver")). This theme of gracious giving is central to the Christian understanding of service and the distribution of spiritual gifts, emphasizing that ministry is a response to God's prior generosity, not a means of personal enrichment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heal (Greek, _therapeúō'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to wait upon menially," signifies "to relieve (of disease)." It implies a devoted, caring service that results in restoration to health. In this context, it emphasizes the compassionate and restorative nature of the disciples' ministry, mirroring Jesus' own acts of healing.
* **Raise (Greek, _egeírō'_):** Meaning "to waken" or "to rouse," this verb is used literally for awakening from sleep or figuratively for rising from obscurity, inactivity, or, most profoundly here, from death. Its inclusion in the list of powers granted to the disciples highlights the extraordinary, life-giving authority they were given, pointing to the ultimate triumph over death through God's power.
* **Freely (Greek, _dōreán'_):** This adverb means "gratuitously," "without cost," or "as a gift." It strongly emphasizes that the power and authority the disciples received were unearned and unmerited. Consequently, their exercise of this power was to be without financial charge or expectation of personal recompense, purely out of generosity and grace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:"** This opening clause is a series of four imperative commands, directly delegating Jesus' own demonstrated powers to His disciples. Each action addresses a profound human need and a manifestation of evil or brokenness in the world: physical infirmity, social ostracization due to disease, the ultimate enemy of death, and spiritual oppression by demonic forces. The progression from general sickness to the most extreme cases (death, demonic possession) underscores the comprehensive nature of the authority granted, signifying the arrival of God's Kingdom with power to overcome all forms of suffering and evil.
* **"freely ye have received,"** This phrase serves as the theological basis for the subsequent command. It highlights the nature of the disciples' empowerment: it was a pure gift, undeserved and unearned. The divine authority and miraculous abilities were not a result of their merit, training, or payment, but flowed solely from Jesus' gracious bestowal. This emphasizes the concept of grace as the foundation of their ministry.
* **"freely give."** This is the direct command that flows from the previous statement. Because the disciples received these extraordinary gifts without cost, they are commanded to exercise them without charging others or seeking personal profit. This principle establishes a standard of selfless, grace-motivated ministry, ensuring that the focus remains on God's generosity and the needs of the people, rather than on the personal gain of the minister. It underscores that divine power is a conduit of God's grace, not a commodity.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 10:8 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Parallelism** through the rapid succession of four imperative verbs ("Heal," "cleanse," "raise," "cast out") followed by their direct objects. This creates a powerful, rhythmic list that emphasizes the breadth and scope of the delegated authority. The use of the **Imperative Mood** throughout the first clause ("Heal... cleanse... raise... cast out... give") conveys the authoritative nature of Jesus' commission, leaving no doubt about the disciples' mandate. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a form of **Chiasmus** or **Antithesis** in its second half: "freely ye have received, freely give." The repetition of "freely" (dōreán) at the beginning and end of this phrase, combined with the contrasting actions of "receiving" and "giving," creates a memorable and impactful ethical principle, reinforcing the reciprocal nature of grace in ministry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 10:8 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine power, grace, and ministry. It reveals God's compassionate heart for humanity's suffering and His active intervention through His chosen agents. The delegation of miraculous power to the disciples signifies that the Kingdom of God is not merely a future hope but a present reality breaking into the world, demonstrating God's sovereign rule over all forms of brokenness—physical, spiritual, and even death itself. The core principle, "freely ye have received, freely give," establishes a foundational ethic for all Christian service. It teaches that all spiritual gifts, abilities, and opportunities for ministry are unmerited blessings from God, and therefore, they are to be stewarded and exercised with the same selfless generosity that characterized their reception. This principle guards against commercialism in ministry, emphasizing that the power of God is a gift of grace, not a commodity to be exploited for personal gain. It calls believers to reflect the boundless generosity of God in their service to others.

* [Acts 3:6](/acts/3-6 "Acts 3:6 - Peter Heals a Lame Man")
* [1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Use Your Gifts to Serve Others")
* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - God Loves a Cheerful Giver")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 10:8 serves as a timeless directive for all who follow Christ, extending beyond the original twelve apostles to every believer empowered by the Holy Spirit. While the specific miraculous gifts may manifest differently across individuals and eras, the underlying principle of receiving by grace and giving by grace remains paramount. This verse challenges us to examine the source of our abilities, resources, and opportunities for service, recognizing them as divine endowments rather than personal achievements. It then compels us to consider our motivation for ministry: Are we serving out of a genuine desire to bless others, reflecting God's selfless love, or are we subtly seeking personal recognition, financial gain, or any other form of self-aggrandizement? True Christian service, as exemplified by Jesus and commanded to His disciples, is characterized by a radical generosity that mirrors the unmerited grace we have received. It calls us to use our spiritual gifts, talents, and material possessions not for accumulation, but for the edification of the church and the advancement of God's Kingdom, freely sharing the blessings God has so freely poured into our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have I "freely received" from God, whether in terms of spiritual gifts, material blessings, or opportunities?**
* **How might I be tempted to "charge" for what I have freely received, either explicitly or implicitly, in my service to God or others?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more "freely give" mindset in my daily life and ministry?**

### FAQ

**Does the command to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils" apply to all believers today?**

Answer: While the specific, comprehensive scope of miraculous authority granted to the twelve apostles in [Matthew 10:8](/matthew/10-8 "Matthew 10:8 - Commissioning and Instructions") was unique to their foundational mission, the New Testament teaches that God continues to work miracles through believers. The Holy Spirit distributes various spiritual gifts, including gifts of healing and working miracles ([1 Corinthians 12:9-10](/1_corinthians/12-9-10 "1 Corinthians 12:9-10 - Gifts of the Spirit")), to equip the church for ministry. Therefore, while not every believer will necessarily raise the dead or cleanse lepers, the underlying principle of God empowering His people to demonstrate His Kingdom's reality and compassion remains. All believers are called to pray for the sick, confront spiritual darkness, and be instruments of God's redemptive power in ways appropriate to their gifting and calling, always remembering that the power originates from God, not from themselves.

**What does "freely ye have received, freely give" mean for modern Christian ministry and financial support?**

Answer: This principle is foundational for the ethics of Christian ministry. It means that divine gifts and spiritual services (like healing, teaching, or pastoral care) should not be commodified or sold. Ministers should not exploit their spiritual authority or gifts for personal financial gain. However, this does not preclude ministers from receiving legitimate financial support for their labor, as the Bible also teaches that "the laborer is worthy of his wages" ([1 Timothy 5:18](/1_timothy/5-18 "1 Timothy 5:18 - The Laborer is Worthy of His Wages")) and that those who preach the gospel should "get their living from the gospel" ([1 Corinthians 9:14](/1_corinthians/9-14 "1 Corinthians 9:14 - Support for Ministers")). The key distinction is between selling spiritual gifts (forbidden) and receiving support to enable full-time ministry (permitted). The emphasis of [Matthew 10:8](/matthew/10-8 "Matthew 10:8 - Commissioning and Instructions") is on the selfless, grace-driven nature of ministry, ensuring that the focus remains on God's generosity and the needs of others, rather than on personal profit or the commercialization of sacred things.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 10:8 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. The powers delegated to the disciples—healing, cleansing, raising, and casting out demons—were precisely the signs that characterized Jesus' own ministry, demonstrating that the Kingdom of God had indeed arrived in Him ([Luke 7:22](/luke/7-22 "Luke 7:22 - Jesus' Works as Evidence")). He was the one who freely healed every disease and sickness ([Matthew 4:23-24](/matthew/4-23-24 "Matthew 4:23-24 - Jesus Heals the Sick")), cleansed the lepers ([Matthew 8:2-4](/matthew/8-2-4 "Matthew 8:2-4 - Jesus Cleanses a Leper")), raised the dead ([John 11:43-44](/john/11-43-44 "John 11:43-44 - Lazarus Raised from the Dead")), and cast out countless demons ([Mark 1:34](/mark/1-34 "Mark 1:34 - Jesus Casts Out Many Demons")). More profoundly, Jesus is the ultimate embodiment of "freely ye have received, freely give." He, who was God, freely laid aside His divine prerogatives ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humility")), freely offered Himself as the spotless Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and freely gives eternal life to all who believe ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Gift of God is Eternal Life")). The disciples' commission was a participation in Christ's ongoing redemptive mission, empowered by His Spirit, to extend the free gift of salvation and the tangible blessings of His Kingdom to a broken world. Believers today, indwelt by the same Spirit, continue to receive grace upon grace from Christ ([John 1:16](/john/1-16 "John 1:16 - Grace Upon Grace")) and are called to freely give of themselves and their resources, reflecting the boundless, self-giving love of their Savior.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 3:6

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Acts 4:30

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

Luke 10:9

And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

Matthew 10:1

¶ And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Acts 20:33

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

Acts 20:35

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Mark 16:18

They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.